The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says that Saudi Authorities have set deadlines for the 2026 Hajj operations, emphasizing that these deadlines are sacrosanct to ensure a smooth, well-coordinated, and successful exercise.
NAHCON stated in a press release by its Information Officer, Malam Abdulbasit Abba, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Abba stated that this was revealed during a virtual meeting with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah regarding preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
He said that the meeting was led by Ustaz Abdallah Ash Shihry, Acting Director-General and Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister in the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
“In the course of the meeting, the Saudi authorities reiterated the important deadlines that remain sacrosanct, including the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in November.
“Jan. 4, 2026, is the last day to finalise camp booking payments and confirmation of service contract packages.
“Feb. 1, 2026, has been set as the deadline for uploading of transport and accommodation contracts on Nusuk Masar Portal, while the first of Shawwal remains strictly the deadline for visa issuance. Representatives of the Ministry emphasized that these deadlines will not be shifted.
“Members from the Hajj and Umar Ministry lamented several incidents involving late preparations from our local end, noting that delays could have negative consequences on the welfare and overall experience of pilgrims,” he said.
According to the information officer, the Saudi authorities have also appealed to NAHCON to remind Nigerian intending pilgrims of the consequences of visa violation.
“The ministry declared that anyone caught performing Hajj without a Hajj visa will face a penalty of 20,000 Saudi Riyals (N8.158 million) and imprisonment.
“In addition, it emphasised that all Hadaya (sacrificial rites) payments and accommodation bookings must be carried out exclusively through the Nusuk Masar platform,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, reassured the host country of its commitment to cooperation on any arrangement that will ensure the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
Usman said that the commission would work closely with relevant partners to ensure compliance with all deadlines and requirements, thereby guaranteeing a smooth, well-coordinated and successful 2026 Hajj operation.
Soldiers Sent After Me Are My Boys, Says Bandit Kingpin Kachalla
A notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Maha, has made a series of startling claims, alleging that soldiers deployed to raid his camps are secretly working for him and boasting that he has the capacity to abduct state governors and other top government officials.
In a recorded audio message that surfaced on Sunday and was shared by verified X user Abdool Moh, the wanted terrorist claimed he enjoys access to sensitive security intelligence, insisting he is routinely tipped off about military operations before they are launched.
Maha alleged that the government’s refusal to release his arrested associates and seized cattle had hardened his resolve to intensify attacks across affected communities.
According to him, repeated appeals for the release of his men were ignored, leaving him with no intention of backing down.
“You arrested my men, and I asked for their release. You refused. I promised that I would abduct many people, and I already have targets.
“I asked why my men and Aminu were arrested. Since they were not released, I don’t care if they send thousands of soldiers. I am not tired, and I will not stop until I leave this world. I can kidnap top government officials, even a state governor.
“I swear to Almighty God that all the security forces sent to attack my camp are my boys. They inform me whenever they are coming. I receive information about security strategies, including those involving the President. It is only because I allow them to operate. Otherwise, they would not even be able to use the roads,” he claimed.
The authenticity of the audio and the allegations made by the bandit leader could not be independently verified, and security authorities had yet to respond to the claims as of the time of filing this report.
The audio surfaced amid renewed security concerns following recent attacks by armed groups in parts of northern Nigeria, including the abduction of students from Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Borno State.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, had earlier confirmed that security operatives engaged the attackers, preventing what could have been a larger-scale abduction.
“Around 9 a.m., ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School. They shot sporadically. An unspecified number of students have been abducted,” Daso said.
The latest incident underscores the persistent insecurity in the North-East and North-West, where bandit and terrorist groups continue to launch deadly attacks despite sustained military operations.
Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Operative Over Planned Attack on Military Bases in Borno
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) over an alleged plot to launch coordinated attacks on two military formations in Borno State, in what security sources described as a significant intelligence breakthrough in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The suspect, identified as Muhammad Shuaibu, was apprehended by troops of the 212 Battalion at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Chabbol following intelligence reports indicating that terrorists were planning an imminent assault on military installations in the area.
According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the arrest occurred during a routine perimeter patrol conducted about 500 metres from the anti-vehicle ditch protecting the military base.
Military sources quoted in the report said the operation followed credible human intelligence that suspected ISWAP fighters were preparing coordinated attacks on key military positions within southern Borno State.
The sources disclosed that troops had heightened surveillance around strategic locations after receiving intelligence of the planned operation, leading to the suspect’s arrest before the alleged attack could be carried out.
Preliminary investigations reportedly linked Shuaibu to a planned assault on the 199 Special Forces Battalion, popularly known as Mosquito Camp, as well as the Forward Operating Base, Chabbol.
Security sources alleged that the suspect was conducting reconnaissance around the military facility when he was intercepted by soldiers on patrol.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted that an attack had been planned and claimed that members of the terrorist group intended to continue with the operation despite his arrest.
However, these claims have not been independently verified, and the Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement confirming details of the interrogation or the alleged confession.
Following the arrest, troops reportedly reinforced security around the targeted military formations by increasing patrols, strengthening defensive positions and placing personnel on heightened operational alert.
The suspect has since been handed over to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade for further investigation aimed at identifying possible collaborators, uncovering the wider network behind the alleged plot and preventing any future attacks.
The arrest comes as Operation Hadin Kai continues to intensify intelligence-driven operations against ISWAP and Boko Haram insurgents across Nigeria’s North-East.
In recent months, the military has sustained offensive operations targeting terrorist enclaves, logistics routes and supply chains, while also recording the arrest of suspected collaborators accused of providing intelligence and logistical support to insurgent groups.
Security experts say intelligence gathering and community collaboration have become increasingly important in disrupting planned attacks, as terrorist groups continue to rely on informants and reconnaissance missions to target military formations and civilian communities.
Military authorities have repeatedly urged residents across Borno State and neighbouring communities to report suspicious movements and unusual activities to security agencies, noting that timely intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in combating terrorism.
The latest arrest underscores the military’s continued efforts to prevent attacks before they occur and enhance the security of military personnel and civilians in conflict-affected areas of the North-East.
As of the time of filing this report, investigations into the suspect’s alleged role in the planned attacks were ongoing, while security around military formations in the area remained on high alert.
Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Operative Over Planned Attack on Military Bases in Borno
Navy Leads Rescue as Building Collapse Traps Children, Others in Lagos
Several people, including children, were pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Alakija, Lagos, on Monday after personnel of the Nigerian Navy joined an emergency rescue operation, with the survivors rushed to a naval hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Photographs released after the operation showed more than 10 rescued victims receiving medical attention at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in a statement, saying naval personnel responded swiftly after receiving a distress call about the incident.
According to him, the rescue team immediately mobilised to the scene and worked alongside other emergency responders to search for and evacuate victims trapped beneath the debris.
“Through their prompt response, professionalism and dedication, several victims were successfully rescued from the rubble and evacuated for urgent medical attention,” he said.
Folorunsho added that all rescued victims were taken to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, where they received emergency treatment and continued medical care.
He said the Nigerian Navy remained committed to ensuring that all those affected by the incident received the necessary medical support.
The statement also quoted the Chief of the Naval Staff as commending the courage, professionalism and dedication displayed by the naval rescue team and the medical personnel who attended to the victims.
He further appreciated the collaboration of other emergency response agencies and members of the public, noting that their collective efforts contributed significantly to the successful rescue operation.
The Navy extended its sympathy to families affected by the building collapse and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
It also reaffirmed its readiness to continue providing humanitarian assistance and support to civil authorities whenever required, in line with its constitutional responsibilities.
Navy Leads Rescue as Building Collapse Traps Children, Others in Lagos
